| Welcome to Aiki Zenshin Dojo |
Aikido, the modern martial art! Aikido is an effective, nonviolent system of self-defense. In fact, many police agencies throughout the world include aikido techniques in their arrest tactics training. Yet the founder of aikido, Moreihei Ueshiba Sensei, talked of his creation as the art of peace and reconciliation. He often commented that the primary goal of aikido was to make better human beings. At Aiki Zenshin Dojo we strive to honor the vision of Ueshiba Sensei. I hope that you will take time to check out our web site and the links that we have included. If you have any questions, feel free to send e-mail or give me a call. Foremost, I cordially invite you to visit our Dojo, observe any of our classes, and get a feeling for our community. Please check out our new promotional video ! This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Head Instructor |
The dojo will be closed on Labor Day, September 6th.Enjoy your holiday! |
| Here’s a story from Wednesday evening’s adult training. |
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Inga Chen has been training here for over seven years. She is now sixteen. Inga is a high achiever. She maintains excellent grades, plays the flute in the orchestra, was and may still be on her school’s debate team, and amazingly manages to train a couple nights a week. She takes more than her share of teasing from ‘the guys’ and takes it very well. With her life being as busy as it is, moving toward her next aikido rank got lost in the shuffle. Her last kyu test was in May of 2005. About a year ago I started telling her that I wanted her to test before I got old and went bald. I have been “hair liberated” for many years now. And I am not going to add any commentary on the getting old part! When I would make these comments Inga would look at me a bit confused with raised eyebrows. Each time I would walk away chuckling and looking over my shoulder to tell her I that I was serious. A few months ago I told her that she was definitely going to test before my next birthday. Upon her asking me when that was, I’d always reply, “It’s coming soon!” Wednesday evening’s adult class was just starting to ‘rock out’. I was in a great mood, moving from student to student, tossing them around and having a good ole’ time. And… there was Inga. I gave her a big grin. “Well Inga, tomorrow is my birthday. You know what that means!” She gave me one of those confused Inga looks. I walked away saying, “Tonight’s the night.” Her eyes opened as big as those proverbial saucers. Minutes later I called her out and the test was on! Inga moved through her test with confidence and grace. For nearly fifteen years our dojo has maintained a pre-test process that helps each student polish the details of the forms. Yet here was Inga… a surprise test, no real warning… doing a fabulous job. What she lacked in details she more than made up for with beautiful, very connected movement skills. Her test culminated with a very strong ‘randori’ (a skill of managing multiple attackers). And three ukes did not cut her any slack! After Inga’s exam we returned to training. While the students worked up a sweat, I hustled up a rank certificate. Next I headed to the ‘belt box’ only to find that I didn’t have a blue belt in her size. I felt pretty bummed out. I had sprung this test on her and she had done a remarkable job. I so wanted to honor her efforts and her courage. I typically do not award ranks right after a test. Yet this was a not a typical test. I let out an audible hmmmm, and then I was graced with a great idea. A few minutes later I called Inga out in front of the class for the awarding of her new rank. I shared with her that I didn’t have a new belt in her size. I held up a belt that was very frayed, faded and a bit grungy. “See this old belt. It was once mine and I passed it on to Miki Sensei. And, now it’s yours.” Her smile was priceless and I’ll admit that my heart swelled so big that tears filled my eyes. Congratulations Inga Chen on your advancement to yonkyu and thank you for the wonderful birthday present! PS… Posted by Skys Sensei.
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 11 March 2007 ) |
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